site.btaNew Bulgarian Productions Featured at World Festival of Animated Film in Varna

A selection of the latest Bulgarian productions was showcased at the World Festival of Animated Film in Varna, the organizers said on Friday. Among the standout films were "Connected" by Simeon Sokerov and "Garlic Soup" by Kristian Zahariev.

"Connected," a 12-minute animation about a girl navigating a world obsessed with screens, received praise for its impactful storytelling and gentle style. Director Sokerov revealed the inspiration came from his daughter Sofia, who collaborated on the animation, contributing over 70% of the artwork.

"Garlic Soup," Zahariev's graduation project, was lauded for its humour and energy. The film, a parody of a vampire in a Balkan village, was appreciated for its fresh take on animated cinema, contrasting the serious themes prevalent in contemporary works.

Another highlight was "The Artist's Daughter," inspired by a story from Daniil Kharms. The film whimsically portrays death as a child’s game, exploring the escape from reality through imagination. The director employed artificial intelligence (AI) to create unique visuals by merging contrasting elements, reinforcing the idea that the human essence persists amid the ordinary. The film was praised for its creative use of AI and its effective recreation of Russian modernism from the early 20th century.